Studies in Prose and Verse. By Arthur Symons. (J. M.
Dent and Co. 7s. 6d. net.) — Our standpoint, especially on the ethical aspects of literature, is other than that taken by Mr. Symons. We cannot help thinking that he shows from time to time grave defects of taste. The essay on Ernest Dowson, taken as a whole, is a mistake. As a writer of verse he was scarcely in the front rank of minor poets, and of his per- sonality it would have been better to say nothing. We substantially agree with much that is here said about M. Zola, but we do not admire at all the way of saying it. The essay on Walter Pater is
good ; but does Mr. Symons seriously think that the early style of Pater was wholly admirable? If it was, the Greeks never reached the highest level of style. It would be impossible to write "Pateresque " Greek, or even Latin.
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